Self-locking chicken coop



April 17, 1928. 1,666,855

M. S. HOLLEY SELF LOCKING CHICKEN COOP Filed July 18. 1925 2 Sheets-511861 1 729- j. a

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Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES MARION S, HOLLEY, OI ENTERPRISE, KANSAS.

SELF-LOCKING CHICKEN COOP.

Application filed July 18, 1925. Serial No. 14,574.

The invention relates to chicken eoops for feeding and shipping poultryand has for its principal objectthe provision of improved means forsecuring the sliding door for access to the coop, said securing meansbeing automatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is an improved construction of the coopin itself by which a thoroughly ventilated and sanitary coop is providedat a minimum cost of production and that is so constructed that alldanger of spreading of the wire panels forming the sides of the coop isavoided and escape of the fowls therefrom obviated.

The construction and operation as well as the advantages of theinvention will be described in detail hereinafter and the constructionwill be found illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure lis a top plan view of the improved chicken coop,

Figure 2 an end view,

Figure 3 a transverse sectional view on a plane indicated by the line3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 a sectional detail on a plane indicated by the line 1- 1 ofFigure 1,

Figure 5 a sectional detail on a plane indicated by the line 5-5 ofFigure 4,

Figure 6 a section on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7, a fragmental view showing a modification of the structure ofthe loop for the sliding arm, and

Figure 8 a transverse section on a plane indicated by the line 88 ofFigure 7.

In the drawings similar reference characters will be used to designatecorrespond ing parts throughout the several views.

The improved chicken coop has a floor 1 along the edges of which aresecured upright sills 2, corner posts 3 secured to the floor 1 and sills2 and head beams 4 connecting the upper ends of the corner posts 3.

In the coop selected for illustration two compartments are provided andsaid compartments are formed vby means of a transverse partitioncomprising end posts 5 and foot and head pieces 6 and 7 respectively. Itwill be understood, however, that more than one partition may beprovided to form the coop into three or more compartments if desired.

In each of the frames formed by end posts 3, and sills 2 and 4, and alsoin the frame formed by end posts 5 and foot and head pieces 6 and 7, apanel of wire fabric is provided, said panel in each instance comprisinglongitudinal wires 8 and vertical wires 9 that are welded at theintersection of said wires to prevent spreading of the wires. Each panelcomprising the wires 8 and 9 is secured in its respective frame by meansof suitable driven fastenings such for instance as staples 10.

The top of the coop is provided with longitudinal panels of large meshwoven wire screen designated 11 secured to longitudinal strips 12, andsaid strips are secured to the head beams 4L and 7 The panels comprisinthe wire screen 11 and strips 12 are spaced apart to form an elongatedopening therebetween through which the contents of the coop may beremoved and replaced, and said opening is closed by means of a door 13.The door 13 is slidably mounted between guides formed by elongations ofvertical wires 9 of the end and partition panels, and a cross wire 15welded adjacent its ends to said elongated wires 9.

In order to lock the sliding door 13 to prevent accidental removalthereof, an opening 15 is provided therein intermediate of its ends, anda spring actuated bolt is provided therefor. The bolt is designated 16and is slidably mounted in a tubular member 17, said tubular memberhaving an inset flange 18 at its lower end on which is seated anexpansible coil spring 19 that also engages a shoulder 20 on the bolt 16and holds said bolt normally protracted into a locking position in theopening 15. Said tubular casing 17 has its upper end curved outwardly asshown at 21 to form a recess flange that engages the upper edge of ahousing 22 that is secured to a baton 23 that is in turn secured to thefoot and head beams 6 and 7 The operation of the sliding door will beclearly understood from the drawing, the only thing necessary to secureaccess to the coop being to retract the sliding bolt 16 below the loweredge of the sliding door 13 and then by moving the sliding door ineither direction access may be had to the compartment of the coopdesired, and when the sliding door is returned to its original position,the bolt 16 automatically returns to its position in the opening 15 andholds the door from movement in either direction.

In Figures 7 and 8 are shown a modified structure of loop for thesliding door comprising vertical wires 24 bent at right angles at 24*and then upwardly on the opposite side of said head beam or piece fromthe vertical portions 24, as shown at 24 26 indicating staples or othersuitable fastenings to secure the parts 24:, 24 and 24 to said head beamor piece 25. 27' indicates cross Wires Welded to the vertical portions24.

What is claimed is r In a. chicken coop, a container havingv an openingin its-top extending from endto end thereof, a door slidable in saidopening and having an opening therethrough, a partition intermediate "ofthe ends of the con tainer, a housing secured to said partition, andaspring actuated bolt in said housing adapted to engage in said openingwhen the door is in closed position toprevent casual displacementthereof, retraction of-said bolt ing; I I

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MARION S1 HOLLEY.

